Partners whose partners have breast cancer
My girlfriend was diagnosed with breast cancer in August, had a bilateral mastectomy, and just started chemo last week. So far everything, as far as her treatment goes, has been going very well and outlook is positive. I was wondering where I can find advice and/or a support group for "partners and spouses whose partners are undergoing breast cancer treament" in Connecticut? Amongst my searching and the breast care center that i attend with my girlfriend for her treatment, I'm not really finding much of a network specifically for this.
I do everything for my girlfriend; take time off work to take her to her appointments, pay for just about everything with the little money I have, if I don't spend the night I'm by her side til she falls asleep, I make sure to communicate positive things, I am always there in every way and am that "rock" for her, etc... yet I am constantly chewed out and insulted and her irrational behavior is really starting to break me... I'm having a difficult time and I don't show it to anyone cuz like I said "i am that rock for her". Any leads or help for me to talk to anyone in similar situation as myself would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Matt
Comments
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Matt - I can't help you with your question regarding a support group. Of course we are all here to help you in any way we can.
Please know that your partner is going through a major change and then add the meds that we are put on - I became that angry, irate, irrational person for some time. I am not proud of it but it happened and most of it was out of my control especially when I was on steroids for chemo.
I am glad that you are there for her but I do understand how difficult that can be at times.
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Wow, she must really like you. When my wife is around anyone else, she's all smiles and friendly. Then I get home and WHAM! I get to hear all about how horrible things are, how she's hurting, uncomfortable, itchy, tired, grumpy. It's because she loves me and trusts me that she opens up. She needs me to be a sounding board, so she can let out all of the frustration and pain that she's been holding in all day, and I'm the one person in the world that she can trust not to judge her. It's almost like a girl who likes you, hits you on the shoulder. She knows you're the only one who won't hit back.
Hang in there. Also, there's a "For Family & Friends of Those Who Have
Breast Cancer" section here that's very helpful.-Mark
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Wow! She is so lucky to have you. You are allowed to "break down" everyone's emotions can get overwhelming at times. I am sure your gf doesnt enjoy her moodiness. Trust me! I felt crazy while on chemo and steroids! Hang in there and you and her will settle down soon.
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Matt---You are a good man...she is lucky to have you.....
Hang in there.....things are just crazy for those of going through the ups and downs of treatment of ridding the beast....
My advice is to check with the hospital or center that your girlfriend is having treatment at...they may have a support group for "partner/spouses"...or check out the local churches in your area...you don't necessarily have to belong to the church to attend the "support groups" they have....and of course, keep coming back here....there are some thread for "caregivers" on the forum that (I'm sure) will give you some great advice!
Thank you for being the man you are and doing the wonderful things you are for the woman you love!
God bless!
Tori
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I appreciate everyone's feedback/responses and kind words. A bit of an update... things have been pretty rough. I haven't had much luck finding a support group in my area; partially because I haven't had much time to look into it and because I suppose I don't feel comfortable asking about it in person at her breast care center when I'm there with her, eventhough she knows i've been looking into it. She was in the hospital twice for almost a week at a time kinda recently; she had an infection in her breasts from the implant/chemo (around the time of my first post) and more recently had an infection in her port. The infections were treated and taken care of though we spent thanksgiving in the hospital. I spent almost every night with her in the hospital cuz she wanted me to and I wanted to be there but i was a punching bag the whole time. I clearly know/realize/recognize that what she's going through is very difficult and weighs heavy; my younger brother had lymphoma I was with him during his treatment and I am diabetic and have asthma, so I know what it's like to be poked prodded human pin cushion heavy meds, etc...Whenever doctors/nurses or friends/family come by she's so positive and pleasant and appreciative of everyone's company, but as soon as that door closes my head gets bitten off and she hides it well from others. Nothing I ever do is good enough, sometimes I try to just walk away so she can cool off and I can be out of the line of fire, but she turns it into me not taking care of her. Totally willing and able to get her food or anything at all that would make time spent in a hospital more tolerable and pleasant, but she has yelled and kicked me out and then gets mad that I left. I'm trying to hang on and be strong because I feel that perhaps things would be different/better if it weren't for cancer, but... I'm just torn, confused, and hurt by how she treats/communicates with me. I'm starting to have an anxiety that some way some how I'm gonna end up looking like the bad guy all the time always and it's unjustified but because she is going through chemo she is justified in any all her actions/words no matter what... if that makes sense. She has broken down and apologized greatly cuz she felt/feels horrible for how she treats me, but it eventually goes back to me not being appreciated/taken advantage of/insulted. I dunno, it's just been real rough lately, we literally just got out of the hospital a few days ago. It's a little calmer now but i've had little panic attacks while at work or before I try to sleep. I've been in therapy a while, but it doesn't really help with this situation. I often think about if I had cancer the last thing I'd do or want would be to hurt the people I care about and who are helping and caring about me during this tough time, I'd be sooooo grateful if I had the care and concern that my girlfriend is getting from others... I dunno... I'm a graphic designer/musician/nerd and I just acquired some creative projects to build that can keep me busy for a while and be rewarding/satisfying to complete. i think it'd be therapeutic for me... i just hope I get time to do those things to put my mind on a different track for a bit to relax.
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reading your letter is like my life...i do the same to my partner...but i dont mean the words i speak..i know we can very mean at times..but im sure she dont mean what she speaks..its just our world has been turned upside down and really dont know how the deal with anything anymore...i love my partner...and i know its hard on him..i am new to this .2 months in..and its been a hard road so far..but we vent to the one we love the most..because we trust that person...my partner is just like you...he has done everything in the world trying to help me through this, and i do really love him for that... cuz he is my rock...and you are her's..just hang in there..
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mts12, I will tell you a secret: What your girlfriend is doing to you, I did to my boyfriend from the tme I was diagnosed until after my BMX. He is my angel and my rock and I wouldn't have been able to go through everything without him.
But I still did it. Do you want to know my motivation for doing it? I love him so much that I didn't want him to have to go through all this. I knew how much he loved me, and in a twisted way, I was trying to make him break up with me "because I was a bitch" so he wouldn't feel sorry for abandoning me right at this time. I just couldn't stand the thought of him suffering for everything I was going to go through, I love him so much.
Fortunately for me, he figured it out, and about a week after the surgery, when I was throwing one of my "fits" he came to me (I was laying on the recliner he had brought to the living-room so I can watch TV on the large-screen) , kneeled near the recliner, took my hand and said "Day, you can stop this act. I know why you are doing this. I am not leaving, You can do whatever you want, you can insult me, cuss at me, do whatever, I am not leaving you.I love you". And that was it.
By what you are telling, it is the same pattern. Try and tell your girlfriend what my boyfriend told me.
I wish you two a long, long, happy life together.
Big hugs and much love
Day
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Good luck to you. I hope things will get better. I only wish my boyfriend had been as supportive. Keep hanging in there. I'm sure she doesn't really mean those things she is saying. I doubt she is angry with you. She is probably angry about her situation.
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a bit of an update... things have been pretty horrible lately. extremely irrational, calls me "stupid" and "idiot" often, disagrees and shoots down anything I say or do. she only wants me to spend money on her and I/we're saving to move out. I'm miserable, she's miserable. she overreacts, I can't think of anything good right now. she doesn't approve of my creative pursuits which make me most happy. makes me feel worthless because I don't make more money (fulltime graphic designer). she throws me under the bus in front of her father and drug addict brother over trivial drama. everything is taken out on me. she says alot of things she doesn't mean and I can't tell what's truth or not any more. Unfortunately I've lived with my mother my whole life and economic hardship and debt has prevented me from making the move sooner, I've been the man of the house my whole life and my mother treats me like garbage; I need to get out asap. I'm in the process of leaving my mother who treats me like garbage to go live with my girlfriend who treats me like garbage. We have found a place to live together and I am supposed to deliver the check for security and 1st month rent tomorrow. I'm looking back on the relationship and am realizing that this behavior was occuring even before cancer; threatened to break up with me if I didn't support her more financially, threatened to cheat on me, starting fights preventing me from being with friends and at family gatherings, etc... i'm just deeply hurt as I've done so much for her and have been there for her 24/7 for anything anywhere anytime, but it's not good enough. I just don't know what to do... I need to get out of my mother's house, but i'm seriously considering ending the relationship/moving out with my girlfriend. I can probably move out myself in a couple months otherwise... but I also feel absolutely horrible if I were to be the guy who broke up with his girlfriend while she was going through chemo. i just feel horrible...
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